Vessel and method of agitating a liquid

ABSTRACT

A vessel ( 10 ) and a method for agitating a liquid ( 50 ) in a main cavity ( 16 ) of t he vessel ( 10 ), are provided. The vessel ( 10 ) includes a dividing member ( 40 ), extending deformable pump cavity ( 20 ). To agitate the liquid ( 50 ), a user presses a flexing wall ( 26 ) of the pump cavity ( 20 ), in pumping cycles, to discharge liquid from the pump cavity ( 20 ) through nozzles ( 42,44 ) into the main cavity ( 16 ). The dividing member ( 40 ) has a sloping upper surface, which causes additives ( 38 ) to collect in the region of the nozzles ( 44 ), to be agitated more effectively.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to the agitation of a liquid such as a beverage,to aid in dissolving additives in the liquid, to homogenise the liquid,or the like. In particular, the invention relates to a vessel such as acup and to a method for agitating a liquid.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Beverages, like other liquids, often need to be agitated to aid indissolving additives in the beverages and/or to homogenise thebeverages. The agitation is conventionally brought about by stirring thebeverage, but stirring of beverages is often inconvenient, especially incircumstances where a consumer or user does not have both hands free,one to hold a vessel containing the beverage and the other to stir thebeverage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a vessel,which includes:

-   -   a bottom wall and a peripheral wall, defining a main cavity for        holding a liquid; and    -   a deformable member extending on an outside of the vessel,        proximate the bottom wall, to define a deformable cavity that is        in flow communication with the main cavity of the vessel through        at least one nozzle, the internal volume of the deformable        cavity being variable by deformation of the deformable member,        wherein the vessel includes at least one dividing member        extending at least in part between the deformable cavity and the        main cavity, at an angle relative to the bottom wall.

At least one nozzle may extend between the main cavity and the part ofthe deformable cavity that is furthest from the bottom wall, i.e. fromthe uppermost part of the deformable cavity, thus allowing trapped airor liquid to escape from the deformable cavity.

At least one nozzle may be formed at least in part, by a recess definedin the region of the periphery of the dividing member, such as a recessextending inwardly from an edge of the dividing member, a recess definedin the wall adjacent the periphery of the dividing member, or the like.

The dividing member may extend at an angle of at least 21 degrees,relative to the bottom wall. The angle should be sufficient to allow aliquid additive to gravitate downwards along the dividing member, whenthe vessel is in an upright orientation.

The dividing member may form a protuberance, protruding into the maincavity, such as a protuberance with a conical shape and a flexible zonemay be defined around the protuberance, spaced from its apex, alongwhich the protuberance may be foldable to invert its apex. The flexiblezone may for example be defined by a circumferential groove extendingaround the conical protuberance.

For the purposes of this specification, the term “invert” means tochange the orientation to its direct opposite. Thus, if the protuberanceis oriented with its apex extending upwardly and the apex is inverted,the apex will extend downwardly, while the part of the protuberance thathas not been inverted will retain its original orientation.

The protuberance and/or the deformable member may be detachable aroundits periphery, from the remainder of the vessel, to allow cleaning ofthe vessel components.

The deformable member may be in the form of a resilient disc, spanningthe base of the protuberance.

At least one nozzle may be defined in the protuberance, said nozzlebeing disposed at an angle relative to a radial direction, in relationto an axis of the vessel extending through the main cavity. Instead, orin addition, a nozzle may extend from the apex of the protuberance, in agenerally axial direction.

The dividing member may be in the form of a generally oval profileddisc, disposed at an angle inside the peripheral wall, with thedeformable cavity defined between the dividing member and the bottomwall. The dividing member may be removable from the vessel.

The deformable member may form part of the peripheral wall and may bedisposed between the bottom wall and the dividing member.

The deformable member may be thicker in its centre than adjacent itsperiphery, to prevent a user's finger form being burnt by hot liquidwithin the deformable cavity.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a methodof agitating a liquid such as a beverage in a main cavity of a vessel,said method including:

-   -   filling a deformable cavity at least in part with some of the        liquid from the main cavity; and    -   pressing a part of the deformable cavity's periphery to        discharge some of the liquid from within the deformable cavity        into the main cavity of the vessel through at least one nozzle,        thereby agitating the liquid in the main cavity,    -   characterised in that heavier components of the liquid that are        separated from the liquid under gravity, slide along a dividing        member that extends at least in part between the deformable        cavity and the main cavity at an angle relative to a bottom wall        of the vessel, to collect adjacent at least one nozzle.

The liquid may be discharged from the deformable cavity, through atleast one nozzle, towards the proximity of a lower edge of the dividingmember.

The liquid may be discharged from the deformable cavity, through atleast one nozzle, at an angle relative to a radial direction, inrelation to an axis of the vessel, and/or the liquid may be dischargedthrough at least one nozzle from an uppermost part of the deformablecavity.

The deformable member may be deformed by pressing it against aprotuberance, which extends from a tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example, withreference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a vessel in accordance with afirst embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the vessel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional side view of the vessel of FIG. 1, taken atIII-III;

FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional view of a dividing member of the vesselof FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a top plan view of a vessel in accordance with a secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a three-dimensional view of a dividing member of the vesselof FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a sectional side view of the vessel of FIG. 5, taken atVII-VII;

FIG. 8 shows a detailed sectional side view of part of the vessel ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 9 shows a sectional side view of a vessel in accordance with athird embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a side elevational view of a flask on which the vessel ofFIG. 9 is shown in an inverted orientation;

FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show three techniques for removing adividing member from the vessel of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 shows a sectional side view of a vessel in accordance with afourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 shows a detailed sectional side view of part of the vessel ofFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 shows a three-dimensional view of a dividing member of thevessel of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 shows a three-dimensional view of the vessel of FIG. 14 and atray; and

FIG. 18 shows a sectional side view of the tray and the vessel of FIG.17, taken at XVIII-XVIII.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, a vessel in accordance with the invention isgenerally indicated by reference numeral 10. Similar parts of differentembodiments of the invention are indicated by like reference numerals,with suffixes referring to the relevant embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, a vessel in the form of a cup10.1 in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, includesa bottom wall 12.1 and generally cylindrical peripheral wall 14.1, whichdefines a main cavity 16.1 within which a liquid in the form of abeverage (not shown) can be held.

A dividing member in the form of a generally oval profiled disc 18.1, isdisposed at an angle relative to the bottom wall 12.1, to define adeformable pump cavity 20.1 between the disc and the bottom wall and toform a trough between the lower edge of the disc and the adjacent partof the peripheral wall 14.1.

The pump cavity 20.1 is in flow communication with the main cavity 16.1through two nozzles, formed by an upper recess 22.1 and a lower recess24.1, defined in the periphery of the disc 18.1 or in the walls adjacentthe disc (not shown). The pump cavity 20.1 can be deformed by pressing adeformable member in the form of a resilient flexible wall 26.1 on theoutside of the cup, in the direction of the arrow indicated by referencenumeral 28.1.

The peripheral wall 14.1 and bottom wall 12.1 have a double layerconstruction, defining a peripheral cavity 30.1 between them, whichserves as heat insulation, to inhibit heat transfer to and from abeverage when kept in the main cavity 16.1. The double layerconstruction includes a resilient inner liner 32.1, of which the flexingwall 26.1 forms an integral part, and which includes catches 34.1, whichgrip lateral edges of the disc 18.1, to hold it in position within thecup 10, in a clipping fashion. The liner 32 is slightly thicker in thecentre of the flexing wall 26.1, to prevent a user's finger from beingburnt by a hot beverage within the pumping cavity 20.1, when pressingthe flexing wall.

The disc 18.1 includes a tab 36.1, which allows it to be gripped and tobe removed from the cup 10.1, in clipping fashion, if the cup is to bewashed.

In use, the main cavity 16.1 is filled with a liquid such as a beverage,e.g. tea or coffee, which also flows into the pumping cavity 20.1 viathe nozzles formed by the recesses 22, 24. The position of the upperrecess 22.1 at the uppermost part of the pump cavity 20.1, i.e. furthestfrom the bottom wall, allows air to escape from within the pump cavity,as it is being displaced by the beverage in the pump cavity, thusreducing the chances of an air-block forming within the pump cavity. Inaddition, the upper recess 22.1 allows beverage, caught within the pumpcavity 20.1, to escape from the pump cavity as the cup 10.1 is invertedto consume the beverage.

An additive 38.1 such as sugar, is added to the beverage and forms aheavier component of the beverage that gravitates downwardly in the maincavity 16.1 and along the top of the disc 18.1, to collect in the troughadjacent the lower edge of the disc and adjacent the lower recess. If auser wants to agitate the beverage, to aid in dissolving the additive38. 1, he presses the flexing wall 26.1 in the direction 28.1, to deformthe pump cavity 20.1 so that beverage liquid is discharged from the pumpcavity, through the recesses 22, 24. The liquid discharge through thelower recess 24.1 is discharged in the trough at the lower edge of thedisc 18.1, where the additive 38.1 has collected and thus serves toagitate the beverage in the main cavity 16.1 and cause the additive tobe suspended in the beverage. The beverage liquid discharged from thepump cavity 20.1 through the upper recess 22 flows generally upwardly inthe main cavity 16.1, to agitate the beverage in the upper part of themain cavity.

The user can press the flexing wall 26.1 repeatedly, in a number ofpumping cycles, to agitate the beverage.

The angle between the disc 18.1 and bottom wall 12.1 is about 45degrees. This angle can be as low as 21 degrees or perhaps even lower,provided that it is high enough to allow the additive 38.1 to move undergravity to the trough formed between the lower part of the disc 18.1 andthe peripheral wall 14.1.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8 of the drawings, a vessel in the form of a cup10.2 in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, includes aperipheral wall 14.2 and a bottom wall 12.2, incorporating a deformablemember in the form of a flexing wall 26.2.

The cup 10.2 includes a dividing member in the form of a protuberance40.2 with a generally conical shape, that is attachable to the bottomwall 12.2, to protrude into a main cavity 16.2, defined within theperipheral wall 14.2. The flexing wall 26.2 thus forms a resilient disc,spanning the base of the protuberance 40.

A deformable pump cavity 20.2 is defined between the flexing wall 26.2and the protuberance 40.2 and is in flow communication with the maincavity 16.2, via an upper nozzle 42.2 extending from the part of thepump cavity that is furthest from the bottom wall, and peripheralnozzles 44.2, defined at the circumference of the protuberance.

The flexing wall 26.2 is thicker-in its centre, to prevent a user'sfinger from being burnt by a hot beverage within the pumping cavity,when pressing the flexing wall.

The circumference of the protuberance 40.2 is releasably attachable tothe bottom wall 12.2, by way of complemental circumferential ridges andrecesses defined on the protuberance and bottom wall, respectively, toform a clipping circumferential seal 46.2. The extent of overlap betweenthe ridges and recesses, together with the resilience of the materialsof their manufacture, is designed so that the circumferential seal 46.2retains its structural integrity when a hot beverage is introduced intothe main cavity 16.2, taking thermal expansion of the components intoaccount.

In use, a liquid in the form of a beverage 50.2, e.g. tea or coffee isplaced in the main cavity 16.2, and the beverage flows into the pumpcavity 20.2 via the nozzles 42,44, while air escapes from the pumpcavity via the upper nozzle 42.2. An additive 38.2 that needs to bedissolved in the beverage 50.2, e.g. sugar, is added to the beverage,gravitates downwardly and slides along the upper periphery of theprotuberance 40.2, to a circular trough formed between the lower edge ofthe periphery of the protuberance, and the bottom wall 12.2, as can beseen in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings.

When a user wants to agitate the beverage 50.2 to aid in dissolving theadditive 38.2, the flexing wall 26.2 is pressed with the user's fingerin the direction 28.2, to deform the pump cavity 20.2 and dischargebeverage liquid from the pump cavity via the nozzles 42.2, 44.2, toagitate the beverage in the main cavity 16.2.

The cup 10.2 has a generally frusto-conical shape, with a central axis48.2, extending through the main cavity 16.2, and each peripheral nozzle44.2 is disposed at an angle relative to a radial direction, in relationto the axis. The angular orientation of the peripheral nozzles 44.2,causes beverage liquid discharged through the peripheral nozzles tocause swirling of the beverage 50.2 in the main cavity 16.2, whichfurther assists in agitating the beverage.

The protuberance 40.2 includes a spigot formation 52.2, that extendsfrom its apex, by which it can be gripped if a user wishes to remove theprotuberance from the cup 10.2, e.g. if the cup and protuberance are tobe washed.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 13 of the drawings, a vessel in the form of acup 10.3 in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention issimilar to the cup 10.2 in accordance with the second embodiment of theinvention shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 of the drawings, and is used in the sameway, except that it has a different flexing wall 26.3 and protuberance40.3, as described hereinbelow.

The protuberance 40.3 has a generally conical shape and includesformations extending around its periphery, that are releasablyengageable with complementary formations formed in the bottom wall 12.3,to form a releasably clipping circumferential seal 46.3.

A circumferential inner groove 54.3 is defined in an underside of theprotuberance 40.3, and extends circumferentially at a position spacedbetween the apex and the circumference of the protuberance. The innergroove 54.3 defines a circumferentially extending flexible zone, whichallows the apex of the protuberance 40.3 to be inverted relative to thepart of the protuberance on the outside of the inner groove. Similarly,an outer groove 56.3 is defined in the underside of the protuberance40.3, spaced concentrically from the inner groove 54.3. Together, thetwo grooves 54, 56 allow the protuberance 40.3 to be folded in atelescopic fashion, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings, toreduce the extent by which the protuberance protrudes into the maincavity 16.3.

If it is necessary to inhibit the extent by which the protuberance 40.3protrudes into the main cavity 16.3, e.g. when the cups 10.3 need to benested and/or stacked, or when a cup 10.3 needs to be placed on a flask58.3, as shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings, the protuberance can befolded telescopically, as described hereinabove. When the cup 10.3 needsto be used, the protuberance 40.3 can be unfolded from itstelescopically folded condition and this can be done by pressing theflexing wall 26.3 in the direction 28.3, which urges the protuberanceinto the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 9 of the drawings.

If the protuberance 40.3 needs to be removed from the bottom wall 12.3,e.g. when the cup 10.3 and protuberance 40.3 need to be washed, this canbe done by manipulating and deforming the bottom wall 12.3, as shown inFIG. 11 of the drawings, thereby releasing the seal 46.3. Alternatively,a finger tab 60.3 can be provided that extends from an underside of theflexing wall 26.3, which can be pulled downwardly as shown in FIG. 12 ofthe drawings, thus pulling the periphery of the flexing wall inwardly,and releasing the seal 46.3. Alternatively, the flexing wall 26.3 can bepushed from below until it engages the underside of the protuberance40.3 and can then be pushed further as shown in FIG. 13 of the drawings,until it is pushed off the bottom wall 12.3 and the seal 46.3 isreleased.

Referring to FIGS. 14 to 18 of the drawings, a vessel in the form of adisposable cup 10.4 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of theinvention, is similar in construction to the cups 10.2 and 10.3 inaccordance with the second and third embodiments of the invention,respectively, with the main differences that the cup 10.4 is made byinexpensive moulding and trimming techniques, e.g. vacuum forming,allowing it to be disposable, and that the protuberance 40.4 is fixedlyattached to the bottom wall 12.4.

The protuberance 40.4 defines a number of channels in its underside,each ending in a circumferential recess 68.4 at the circumference of theprotuberance. Each circumferential recess 68.4 forms a peripheral nozzle44.4, when the protuberance 40.4 is fixedly attached to the bottom wall12.4, and is disposed at an angle relative to the radial direction. Theprotuberance 40.4 is made of a thin material and includes acircumferential flange 70.4 that can be attached to the bottom wall 12.4and/or flexing wall 26.4. A number of braces 72.4 serve to strengthenthe protuberance 40.4, at the inner edge of the flange 70.4.

The centre of the flexing wall 26.4 has a double-layered construction,defining a cavity 62.4 in which air is trapped, to insulate a user'sfinger from the heat of a hot beverage within the pump cavity 20.4, whenpressing the flexing wall 26.4.

The cup 10.4 is manufactured in the same way as a conventionaldisposable cup, except that a circular hole is defined in its bottomwall 12.4. The flexing wall 26.4 includes a circumferential flange 74.4,that is heat-bonded or glued to the bottom wall 12.4, as shown in FIG.15 of the drawings. Similarly, the flange 70.4 of the protuberance 40.4is glued or heat-bonded to the bottom wall 12.4 and/or the flexing wall26.4.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18 of the drawings, the flexing wall 26.4 ofthe cup 10.4 can be pressed in the direction 28.4, shown in FIG. 14 ofthe drawings, by pressing the cup downwardly relative to a suitable tray64.4, so that a protuberance 66.4 extending from the tray, engages theflexing wall. The user thus need not reach for the underside of the cup10.4, but can hold the cup in a comfortable position while moving it upand down relative to the tray, to agitate the beverage held within thecup in pump cycles as described hereinabove.

A similar protuberance 66.4 can be incorporated in a sticker, forplacement in various locations, can be incorporated in a vehicle cupholder, in a table top, or the like.

The invention has been described and illustrated with reference to cups10 for containing and agitating beverages 50, but is not intended to belimited to this application. The invention has application in a widevariety of other vessels for containing a wide variety of other liquids,e.g. paint containers, scientific vessels, etc.

The invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 18 of the drawings, holds theadvantages that the sloping, angled upper surfaces of the disc 18 and/orprotuberance 40, causes additives 38 to gravitate from the beverage 50and collect adjacent the lower recess 24 or peripheral nozzles 44, asthe case may be. The beverage liquid flowing from the pump cavity 20through the lower recess 24/peripheral nozzles 44, is thus directed at ahigh concentration of the additive 38, so that the agitating effect ofthe flowing beverage liquid is used efficiently to assist in dissolvingthe additive in the beverage 50.

The invention illustrated holds further advantages as describedhereinabove and in addition, in the first, second and third embodimentsof the invention, the peripheral nozzles 44 and the nozzles formed bythe recesses 22,24, each has a construction in which it is formed inpart by a recess, and in part by the bottom wall 12 of the cup 10. Whenthe disc 18 and/or protuberance 40 are removed from the cup 10, therecesses can be cleaned more easily than if the nozzles were simplydefined as holes. The manufacture of the cup 10 is also simplified whenusing this construction.

1. A vessel comprising: a bottom wall and a peripheral wall, defining amain cavity for holding a liquid; a deformable member extending on anoutside of the vessel proximate the bottom wall, to define a deformablecavity that is in flow communication with the main cavity of the vesselthrough at least one nozzle, the internal volume of the deformablecavity being variable by deformation of the deformable member; and atleast one sloped dividing member extending at least in part between thedeformable cavity and the main cavity; wherein the dividing memberextends at an angle relative to the bottom wall to form a troughadjacent the lower edge of the dividing member and adjacent at least oneof the nozzles.
 2. A vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least onenozzle extends between the main cavity and the part of the deformablecavity that is furthest from the bottom wall.
 3. A vessel as claimed inclaim 1, wherein at least one nozzle is formed at least in part, by arecess defined in the periphery of the dividing member.
 4. A vessel asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the dividing member extends at an angle of atleast 21 degrees, relative to the bottom wall.
 5. A vessel as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the dividing member forms a protuberance, protrudinginto the main cavity.
 6. A vessel as claimed in claim 5, wherein theprotuberance has a conical shape.
 7. A vessel as claimed in claim 5,wherein a flexible zone is defined around the protuberance, spaced froman apex of the protuberance along which the protuberance is foldable toinvert its apex.
 8. A vessel as claimed in claim 5, wherein theprotuberance is detachable around its periphery, from the remainder ofthe vessel.
 9. A vessel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the deformablemember is in the form of a resilient disc, spanning the base of theprotuberance.
 10. A vessel as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least onenozzle is defined in the protuberance, said nozzle being disposed at anangle relative to a radial direction, in relation to an axis of thevessel extending through the main cavity.
 11. A vessel as claimed inclaims 7, wherein a nozzle is defined, extending from the apex of theprotuberance, in a generally axial direction.
 12. A vessel as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the dividing member is in the form of a disc disposed atan angle inside the peripheral wall, with the deformable cavity definedbetween the dividing member and the bottom wall.
 13. A vessel as claimedin claim 12, wherein the deformable member forms part of the peripheralwall, and is disposed between the bottom wall and the dividing member.14. A vessel as claimed in claim 13, wherein the dividing member isremovable from the vessel.
 15. A vessel as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe deformable member is detachable around its periphery, from theremainder of the vessel.
 16. A vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein thedeformable member is thicker in its centre than adjacent its periphery.